Rotary Phase Converter Plans

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Rotary Phase Converter

Convert Single Phase Power to 3 Phase Power with these complete plans and wiring schematics!

Did you know you can run 3-phase motor equipped power tool in your shop? If you have a single phase electric supply with two hot legs, you can create 3-phase from it if you have the proper device. You could buy a static phase converter. A 1HP to 3HP unit is about $300 from Zoro Tools and other suppliers. You can also make a DIY rotary phase converter [RPC] for next to nothing. I made mine from a junkyard furnace blower motor, a scrap 3-phase induction motor that I salvaged from a big, old air compressor destined for the scrap yard and a bunch of angle and plate I had been tripping over in my shop for years.

My nearly free 3-phase idler motor turned out to be way overkill [10HP] but the price was right. The actual current draw of it under almost no load isn't much different that a 2 HP under full load so I went for it. No harm; no foul. When I'm gone, my kids can scrap it and buy a new car with the proceeds since the windings are copper and it must weigh over 200 pounds. You may opt for a somewhat smaller idler motor.

My rotary phase converter is not built as a motor-generator set. If it were, it would completely isolate the load from the single-phase supply and produce balanced 3-phase output. Due to the expense and complexity of that type of converter, my DIY RPC is not built that way. Mine is built out of a used 3-phase induction motor [the idler] and a used single phase motor [the pony motor].

Phase Converter Diagram For Constructing

Rotary Phase Converter Wiring Diagrams

You will need, no doubt, to buy some stuff even if you're a collector like me. You'll need a suitable service disconnect and a bunch of heavy gauge, three conductor cable but you'd need that even with a commercial static phase converter. I strongly recommend you consult with an electrician to help you size the electrical stuff you need.